Calgarian Padmaja Genesh knows what it’s like to have a family member with dementia. Her father-in-law was diagnosed with it in 1999, and the family’s experiences spurred her into a career change.

At the time, she was working as a family physician.

But these days, she works as a learning specialist with the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. And she is passionate about helping Calgarians with dementia and their families.

This Sunday, Oct. 11, Genesh and many other Calgarians will participate in the 25th anniversary Investors Group Alzheimer Walk & Run. The annual event kicks off at Eau Claire Market, and all proceeds go toward education, care and support for Calgarians living with dementia and their families.

“It is an occasion for individuals and families who are impacted by dementia to come together to show their support for the cause,” Genesh says. “The community spirit is amazing.”

The term dementia is used to describe problems that can develop with our brains — in particular, memory, thinking and language. Alzheimer’s disease is the best-known form.

By any name, it is widespread. In Alberta, about 43,000 people are living with dementia; of that, 12,000 to 13,000 are Calgarians, says Genesh. About eight people are diagnosed with dementia each day in Calgary.

The effects of dementia are devastating. At least for now, there is no cure.

But there is hope, Genesh says, citing recent research looking into the connection between exercise, diet and dementia development.

“Risk reduction is very important, since we don’t have a cure,” says Genesh.

“A multi-pronged approach to reducing our risk — that’s the best thing we can do.”

She says she is particularly excited about a recent study from Rush University in Chicago. The study, which was made public in June, followed more than 900 seniors for five years. It found the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet may reduce the risk of dementia by as much as 35 to 50 per cent — even when it isn’t followed strictly.

The MIND diet — a combination of the popular Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (a diet that seeks to limit hypertension) — focuses on a list of 10 “good” foods, including vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil and a glass of wine per day.

What can’t you eat? The big thing is “to cut back on red meat, butter and stick margarine and cheese — because of its high saturated fat — as well as pastries, sweets and fried and fatty foods,” she says.

“You can still have them. But limit them to once a week.”

Beyond diet, there are more things you can do to ward off dementia, including exercising regularly, socializing with friends and family, treating depression and reducing stress, she notes.

“Then there are things that stimulate the brain — learning a different language, learning a new skill,” Genesh says. “By doing these things, we can reduce and delay the onset of symptoms, too.”

Stopping smoking, keeping body weight within normal range and treating high blood pressure are also important, she says.

“If we follow these strategies, we can reduce our risk of dementia by 25 to 100 per cent,” says Genesh.

“It isn’t a cure, but it can make a huge difference.”

SIDEBAR ONE:

The 25th anniversary Investors Group Alzheimer Walk & Run will take place Oct. 11 (Thanksgiving Sunday), starting at 10 a.m. at Eau Claire Market. There is a five-kilometre walk, a five-kilometre run and a 10-kilometre run. It costs $35 per person to register; all proceeds go toward helping local families who are impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information or to volunteer at Alzheimer Society of Calgary, go to alzheimercalgary.ca or call 403-290-0110.

Learn more about MIND

Want to know more about the MIND diet? Here’s a list of the 10 recommended foods*:

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